Faith Lutheran Church of Plano today announced the church's Holy Week and Easter schedule of special services.

“Temptations and trials are a reality in our lives.  During Lent, we repent of our sins, and we also live in God’s forgiveness brought about by the blood of our Savior.  Lent prepares us not only for Good Friday, but also for Easter,” said Faith Lutheran Church of Plano senior pastor Rev. James Woelmer of Lucas.  “Join us during our Lenten journey as we are directed to the holy sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ so that we may come to Easter with glad hearts keeping the feast with sincerity and truth.”

Faith Lutheran Church is located at 1701 E. Park Blvd. in Plano, Texas.

Palm Sunday worship, Sunday, April 14, 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Maundy Thursday Service, Thursday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday, April 19, 2:00 p.m. service and 7 p.m. Tenebrae service

Tenebrae (Latin for "shadows" or "darkness") is a Christian religious service celebrated on the evening before or early morning of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, which are the last three days of Holy Week. The distinctive ceremony of Tenebrae is the gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms is chanted or recited.

Easter Vigil Service - Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Easter Vigil is the first celebration of the resurrection of Christ from the dead (much like Christmas Eve is the first celebration of Christmas). The Easter Vigil marks the final day of the sacred Triduum (Holy/Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Vigil of Easter). Historically, the Easter Vigil began around the middle of the second century. The people of God would hold vigil, which means “keep watch,” through the night in expectation of Christ’s return.

The Easter Vigil service is comprised of six parts: Light, Readings, Holy Baptism, Prayer, the Word and the Sacrament. The paschal candle is lit and it leads the procession into church. The historic Exsultet or Easter proclamation is sung and the Easter acclamation: “Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” is first spoken. The service begins in darkness and it ends in light.

Easter Sunrise Worship Service, Sunday, April 21 at 6:00 a.m.

Easter Sunday Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion, Sunday, April 21 at 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Children's Sunday School and Adult Bible Study at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, call 972.423.7447 or visit www.faithplano.org

About Faith Lutheran Church:

Faith Lutheran Church is a conservative congregation of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ that confesses the teachings of the historic Christian church as they are taught in the Bible. Faith Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and has locations in both Plano and Wylie, Texas. For more information, please visit www.faithplano.org or call 972.423.7447